IIII

Chapter 7: The Second Jakku Incident

IIII

Izuku stared onwards ahead out of the window of the car. As the world seemed to race by him in blurs of rapid motion. His friends were with him, Ochako and Ida. The former beside him in the passenger seat, and the latter driving them to their destination: the train station.

Despite how close they were, he felt distant from them. Something else was demanding his attention. He sighed, and rested his head against his arm. Quirk or no quirk, I'm still the symbol of peace.

"We're almost there, a few minutes ahead of schedule actually," Ida smiled from the driver's seat. "How are you hanging in back there?" He turned his head, and shot a glance at his passengers.

Ochako smiled back, "We're doing fine."

Izuku felt dead, his stomach tightened. His gaze was fixed on the world outside the car. His head was resting on his arm, his eyes were resting in the distance. "Yeah, I'm fine," he sighed.

Ida wanted to ask Izuku if he was really okay, if he was really alright. But he knew his friend had already been hit with enough questions the last few days. He needed space, even if that meant awkward silence for the next half hour.

The ride to the station was quiet. Not just because hardly a word had been spoken between anyone for the duration of the journey. But the city around them seemed dead. Traffic was nonexistent, there were few pedestrians to speak of, and half the businesses they passed by were either closed for the day, or until further notice.

There was a spark of anger growing within him. Izuku clenched his fists. They're afraid because I'm not there to protect them.

The station was the same as the rest of the city. As they pulled up alongside the entrance they could see how motionless the surroundings were. Departing from the comfort of their car, they grabbed their belongings and hurried towards the bullet train that was scheduled to take the heroes to Gifu.

How much longer do things have to be like this? Izuku thought, biting his lip. He knew things were out of his control for the time being, but it was hard to put his worries aside. Knowing that he would have to watch from the sidelines while the world fought on.

"What are you thinking about?" Ochako shot a look of concern his way.

Hearing her voice of concern placed his frustration on pause. "That none of this would've happened if I'd been able to stop Shigaraki, or at least everyone would feel safe enough to even go outside. Look around Uraraka, it's like the whole country is in a coma."

"Worrying about it won't solve anything," she placed his hand on his shoulder. "Lighten up there are other heroes too."

"Who I can't help if I'm spirited off to some remote resort," he shook his head. "You're right worrying won't solve anything, that's why I've already arranged for my equipment to be moved to Gifu."

Ochako accepted his answer in silence. She worried about him, but she admired him too. That tenacity and refusal to back down even when he'd lost everything. She knew there was no use in trying to change his mind, and perhaps it was for the better if things carried on that way.

Izuku could feel his anger begin to subside. He glanced at his scarred hands. "I may not have my quirk, but I'm still the Symbol of Peace. I can still help, even if it means holding back for now."

They slipped away into the seclusion of the bullet train. It was reserved for them, courtesy of the Hero Commision. They wouldn't want the Symbol of Peace to be caught in public, not in his current state at least. For the good of the country, the narrative would have to be kept alive: that the Symbol of Peace was conducting a special mission away from civilization. Anything less and the world could fall apart, before it had even begun to fight back.

It was a reality that had made his own seem small, and numb. Something Izuku had only accepted because he had no other choice. It's a miracle I'm still alive, I have to be careful. The support items I left behind will help with that.

The bullet train ride was quick. Izuku knew Gifu was rural, and he had seen pictures of the area before. But it still came as a shock to him, all the empty space and sky for miles in all directions. There were houses, but they were sparse. Far removed from the massive suburbs of Shinjuku, or the towering skyline of Shibuya.

As a hero who's agency was largely based in the inner cities, the region was foreign to him. It was isolating to say the least, reinforcing the fact that he'd been sidelined in the name of 'national security'. And it was even quieter than the city, the usual farmers that would be about were staying indoors for the season, and there were barely any cars on the highways next to the rail lines.

Izuku couldn't sit still in his seat. In times like this, All Might would've shown that he was there. What am I doing? He clenched his fists. I need to give them a reason to smile, a sense of trust in heroes again.

And yet…He'd been shuttled off to a remote fortress where he could be safe and pampered from a war which seemed unwinnable on every account.

Moving his eyes away from the countryside, Izuku thought carefully. Shigaraki. How can I stop him without even having the courage to show my face in public? He buried his head into his hands.

Sighing and leaning back in his seat Izuku brushed his hair back. If I'm feeling like this, I can only imagine how Eri must feel.

"But she's at least training right?" he muttered to himself. "She's doing something to help, and so can I."

Izuku turned to Ida. "Is it alright if I ask you something?"

"Sure, it's the least I can do to help."

"Would it be possible for me to borrow some equipment from your wife?"

"Well, um." Ida was taken aback. "That's up for her to decide I'm afraid."

"Of course."

"Why do you have something in mind?"

Izuku nodded slowly. "You'll see."

…..

The board room was empty save for himself, and the quiet company of his ally. It had been like this for the past fifteen minutes.

A feeling of unease was beginning to creep up on him. He shifted in his seat, and checked his watch. They're late, he thought to himself.

Skeptic shot a nervous glance towards him, "Do you really think they'll show up?"

The feeling of unease grew. He certainly didn't want to report any bad news to Shigaraki, especially after how their last conversation ended.

"To be honest, I do." Re-Destro adjusted his collar as he turned away from Skeptic. "They're running out of options, the markets have placed them into our hands."

"If you say so," Skeptic returned to his rapid typing on his laptop. A host of information needed to be compiled and sent to their numerous contacts, even if it was news they didn't want to hear.

A few more minutes went by. Fifteen turned to twenty, then to thirty. His doubts began to grow. Re-Destro tapped his fingers rapidly against the long table. Come on, he thought. Any moment now.

Suddenly the door to the wide room swung open, followed by rapid heavy footsteps and finely dressed men. They were powerful men, some of which he recognized from many years ago. Back when he was the CEO of Detnerat.

Re-Destro felt his unease subside and cleared his throat, "Welcome! I'm pleased to see you could make it."

The men shuffled into place lined alongside the long table in mechanical order. "You've got a lot of nerve to call us up," the largest man on the right side spoke up. "Tell me why I shouldn't turn you into the Chief of Police right this moment."

Re-Destro smiled, and felt at ease. He wasn't intimidated, he'd been through enough business deals in the past to know what to expect. What to say, "I have a deal you can't refuse."

They scoffed, raising their eyebrows. "An ex-convict is offering me a deal I can't refuse?" the large man chuckled.

Re-Destro made a motion with his left hand, and suddenly the projector overhead shot to life as Skeptic pounded away at his keyboard.

"Precisely because I am a convict, I can offer you this." He motioned with his spare hand towards the projection. It was a series of graphics recognizable by the men in the room. Sales figures and financial reports for the first quarter of the year. The various companies he'd invited were all on display, parallel against one another on the graphic. Standing above all of them was the image labeled Hastume Support Inc. almost double the height of the nearest competitor.

Re-Destro smirked, he could sense he'd gotten their attention. The feeling was nostalgic to an almost intoxicating degree. Reminding him of the numerous deals he'd struck in his past business career.

"The support item industry is a competitive one, ripe with potential. Especially with the emergence of ever potent quirks," Re-Destro went on. Adjusting the graphic on display to depict a comparison of the market share between companies. "Hastume Support Inc. has done an outstanding job cornering the market, I mean they've secured about seventy percent of it all." He glanced around the room, he could see the hate in their eyes. Their fear. The frustration.

"What do you propose?" another man spoke up.

"I'm an ex-convict, I can discreetly remove Hastume from the table, especially now that the Symbol of Peace has met his end." Re-Destro smiled, he could feel a rising excitement growing within him. I'll give them some intel too, that'll sweeten the pot. Get them thinking about it.

There were murmurs and gasps around the room.

"What do you mean?" one man said.

"I thought he was on a special assignment," said another.

"He was at the Tartarus break out right? Is he lying?" the voices were getting frantic. "There's no way he could possibly be dead!"

"What do you want in return," the big man spoke up, silencing the other voices with his own.

Skeptic drummed a few more keys into place, bringing up the final graphic they'd arranged prior to the meeting. It was an image of parts, support augments, and cybernetics. The latest craze in the market since their use had been greenlit by the government.

Re-Destro perked his head up, "All we ask for in return is ten percent of your various support item inventory. New, old, even broken. It doesn't matter, we just need the parts."

"Really? Not even money?" the man questioned.

"Too traceable," Skeptic added. "Any transfer of funds would be easy to spot. I'm sure none of you want a scandal to leak out."

"Asides if you do get investigated for the missing inventory, you can always write it off as defective units being sent to the landfill." Re-Destro chimed. "This way we all get what we want, without any risk."

"I see," the man gritted his teeth. "I guess I'll take up the offer." His voice was heavy with reluctance.

There were more murmurs of debate, passing agreements that began to take hold of the whole table.

"You'll get your ten percent alright, but I want to see Hastume ruined soon. By the end of the month." The large man stood up from the table. "I hear she has a new product line launching, something about automated servants."

Skeptic gasped, and paused his motions. Re-Destro nodded calmly, "Sure. I'm glad we could reach an agreement."

They departed the room in the same way they'd arrived, mechanical order. Quiet curses and words of disbelief trailing off the executives' lips.

Re-Destro felt relieved, finally a win, he thought as he stood up from his seat.

"By the end of the month?" Skeptic asked once he was sure their guests had all gone. "How are we going to move that quickly? They can't possibly expect us to—."

"They're trying to save themselves, I don't blame them after seeing those figures." Re-Destro cut him off. "Hastume has dozens of facilities, and hundreds of engineers, but what really makes it function as strong as it is, is the woman at the top."

"So we'll take her out for now?"

"Yeah, and then some." Re-destro smirked. As he pulled up his list of contacts. Time to let Shigaraki know the good news. Not all of it of course, I'll need to gain his trust again before I can try anything.

…..

Eri stretched her arms outwards releasing a soft yawn as she leaned back in her chair. Everything was done, after countless hours of stress and effort, all the menial assignments from her non-hero courses were finished.

She felt excited, for once I might actually have free time! She quickly stood up, knocking her horn against the low hanging ceiling fan. Before falling back down into her seat abruptly.

"Ow," she rubbed her head. Eri stood up again, taking the care to stoop low enough to avoid any passing obstacles this time. "We have to get that fixed some time."

Glancing at the schedule she could see that Aizawa sensei wasn't scheduled to train her for another few hours, a symptom of his other responsibilities. That meant Eri for sure had time to kill, and she knew just how she was going to spend it.

A myriad of things came to mind. It was important to spend her time carefully, and to that end Eri pondered her options carefully. Let's see. I could read a book, or organize my room. She bolted up the stairs. Opened up her room. And to her disappointment, it was already organized. Every book on the shelf was already read.

Maybe I could...no wait that won't work. Or how about! Wait, I don't have enough time for that either. Eri thought to herself.

She groaned, burying her face into the pile of pillows on her bed. I guess I'm just not used to having free time.

There was a knock on the door. She perked her head up, listening closely to validate if the sound even existed or was just a figment of her imagination.

The knock repeated itself. Although it was louder and more rigorous. As if the person behind it was beginning to lose patience.

"Who could that be?" Eri murmured to herself. Kota? But he should be in class.

Rushing out of her bed and into the living room she approached the door. Without hesitating she unlocked and opened it, not wanting to frustrate her guests any longer.

"Morning," it was Aizawa. "I hope you're working hard."

But there was another person she didn't recognize. Standing beside her teacher with a candid and laid back expression etched onto his figure.

"Oh wow, you've grown so much!" the man drew closer.

Eri reeled back, caught off guard by the sudden intrusion.

"You don't remember me?" the man spoke. He was dressed in a black, double-breasted tuxedo, and his short blonde hair hardly moved at all in the wind. Three clocks hung around a single belt wrapped around his waist, and the smile he wore seemed to not reach his eyes.

"Uhh no," Eri responded, taking another step back. "Have we met before?"

"This is Neito Monoma," Aizawa spoke bluntly with an air of exhaustion in his voice. "Here's here to help you train your quirk."

"We met a long time ago, back when you were still little." Monoma said. "It's ok if you don't remember."

"I figured this would be the most efficient way to get you ready Eri," Azaiwa rubbed the back of his head. "I know it's not the same without me, but the school needs me."

"I understand," Eri shifted her gaze in disappointment. I guess it'll have to work. If she was honest, the thought of training with a stranger unnerved her. There were only a few people she truly felt at ease with in the world, and Monoma certainly wasn't on that list.

"Right, well we should start soon. Wouldn't want to erase any daylight would we?" Monoma chuckled, patting Aizawa's back. "Isn't that right Eraserhead?"

Aizawa didn't say anything, although the look in his face was enough to decipher his annoyance.

Eri bit her lip. Could be worse. But at least I might be able to get stronger. She reminded herself of Kota, of Deku, and all the other people who were counting on her. No...I have to get stronger.

…..

"U.A sure has grown since I was last here," Monoma took a good look at his surroundings. "I don't remember the gym being this large."

"You were a student here?" Eri asked, taking the time to loosen her muscles with a few stretches.

"Yeah, class 1B. We did okay, but for now we need to focus on your training." Monoma turned to face her.

"Okay so how're we making me stronger?" Eri asked excitedly.

"Stronger? Why would you want that?"

Eri shot a puzzled look at Monoma. "Why wouldn't I? Stronger heroes can defeat stronger villains."

"See that's fine and all, but that won't be the focus of your training."

Eri appeared a bit disappointed. "Oh. Why not?"

"Because mastering the technical qualities of your Quirk is the key to becoming a Hero. It takes people years of practice to learn the use of their Quirks, some might spend their whole lives and only learn so much."

"But shouldn't I learn how to fight though?" she made a wide motion with her outstretched arms.

"Actually, your Quirk is strong enough to do most of your fighting for you. I have no other way of saying this, but from what Aizawa has told me, it sounds like the strongest quirk in the history of quirks."

Eri's eyes widened. "Wait what. But how?"

"Well technically you can rewind anyone and anything, so long as you have the ability to use your Quirk on them. Even Tomura Shigaraki, can't do anything about being wiped from existence."

"But my Quirk has done nothing but harm people." she clenched her fist. "I haven't seen what else it can do."

"Yet your Uncle, Kai Chisaki, was willing to murder people to use your quirk and make weapons out of it." He chuckled. "The decision to train you as a Hero might either be the best decision the Commission's made in a long time, or the worst."

Eri looked around the gym. "So then how do I learn how to use it?"

"First you need to overcome the boundaries that separate you from proper use of it." Monoma explained. "Every single quirk has a flaw, or at least some physical property a Hero must overcome. Even the strongest quirks limit their users to some degree. Likewise, until you learn what exactly is holding you back, you can never really learn how your quirk works."

"I, I don't even know where to begin." Eri admitted. She thought about how far she had come since she'd first experienced what her quirk was capable of. The memory of helping Izuku defeat Kai was a powerful reminder, but it seemed distant. It was hard for Eri to believe that she was the same girl who'd made that heroic rescue possible.

"Then let's start with the basics. The little you've used of your quirk, what's worked for you and what hasn't?"

Eri took a second to respond. "Well every time I've used it I've gotten too scared to finish whatever I was doing. Or I just failed..."

"Hm. What exactly made you afraid then?"

"That it might go out of control or hurt someone. That it might hurt me." Eri glanced at her hands.

If I had a quirk that powerful and only used it about a couple times I'd be scared too. It's a shame she's been so isolated her whole life. Monoma thought.

"The first thing you have to learn is that you are in full control of your quirk at all times. It's not a dangerous tool, it's a part of you. Like an arm or a leg, your quirk only does what you do." He flicked her horn, and made a gesture with his hand.

"Why not?"

"Quirks are extensions of your body, they grow and function much like you do."

"So then how do I overcome my fear? How come I can barely understand it?" She pleaded.

"Because unfortunately you haven't been exposed to your quirk normally. Most kids your age went to school and adjusted to living with their quirk. Moreover, your only exposure to your power was either with your Uncle or Aizawa. You've never been able to freely see it in your own eyes."

Eri considered this. She wondered if she hadn't been as isolated her whole life maybe she would feel more confident in her ability to control her Quirk. Or if maybe her Uncle hadn't traumatized her, then maybe I'd feel less scared.

"The best advice I have for you is to simply block everything out of your mind when using your quirk as much as you can. Forget about everything everyone's told you about your Quirk, why you've been kept in isolation for so long. Forget about the harm it's done, it's just you and your quirk."

Eri shook her head. "That's much easier said than done." She thought about all the previous times she'd used her quirk. All the subtle reminders, and triggers that shot back images of her past to her. My parents...Kai...Deku.

"I know, but as hard as it is to believe, you can do this." Monoma gestured with his hands. "You are bigger than your fears. It's all in your head."

Eri looked around the gym again. "But this room is mostly used for strength and cardio training." Judging by the equipment she could see anyways.

"True. But we can start small and go from there. I've set small objects around the room you can try rewinding."

"But what if I lose control, Aizawa isn't here to—,"

"Don't worry, I have it covered." Monoma smiled. "Oh! I never told you my quirk did I."

"I copy quirks, including Aizawa's," he continued. "Relax, you've got nothing to fear."

Eri felt relieved. I guess this guy isn't as weird as I thought he was. She clenched her fist, "Alright, let's go!"

…..

"Alright let's go," Muscular cracked his knuckles.

Dabi looked on from afar, the museum was in sight. But it wasn't just any museum. It was the Jakku Memorial, the only remainder of the past that had grown to define the future. The whole building was a giant grave marker. Jakku, he could recall the incident very well, the friends he'd lost. The victory he'd almost had.

Compress leaned on his cane. "Yeah, what exactly are we waiting for?"

"Toga," Shigaraki commented, resting against the trunk of a dead tree. "She's supposed to report what the security is like in there."

Dabi crossed his arms. "Don't get too excited, Compress. Most of the pedestrians are just children, we could only make jokes of Nomu out of them."

"Don't get the wrong idea! I'm only doing what the Doctor asked of me," Compress shot a glare at Dabi.

"It's not like that's our main objective anyways," Shigaraki reminded them. Glancing anxiously at his phone.

"Right." Dabi couldn't care less about the mission. He was done waiting for other opportunities.

"Ah here we go," Shigaraki's eyes lit up. "Toga shot me a text."

"And?" Compress asked, raising his cane.

"She says security is light." Shigaraki stood up from the tree and slipped his phone into his pocket.

"Great, this should be easy then." Compress nodded.

"Tcch," Dabi chided, disappointed.

"But Hawks and Shoto are there, she spotted them in the building," Shigaraki continued.

Dabi's eyes widened. "Perfect."

"Then we should attack before he realizes we're here." Compress said.

"Yeah, let's kick some ass!" Muscular shouted.

Dabi was beginning to become annoyed at Compress' impatience. This fight between him and Shoto was a long time coming, what happened at Chiyoda was too inconclusive, too sudden. He had to settle things decisively, carefully, or at least even the score after the diversion at the Senate.

Shigaraki turned his attention to Dabi. "So, you seem to be pretty excited for this."

Dabi raised an eyebrow. "What gave it away?"

"You were the first person on board when I suggested we free Gigantomachia. Chiyoda didn't go your way I presume."

Dabi snorted. "Yeah, what do you care?"

"I don't. Just try not to take this mission personally that's all. This thing you have with Todoroki, stop it. It doesn't help us, if you're distracted by a personal vendetta."

"He's the next Endeavor. I won't rest until he's dead at my feet."

"You. Kill the new top hero?" Shigaraki scoffed. "We're only here to free Gigantomachia. That's it, I don't want any complications like at Tartarus."

Dabi would've protested but he remained silent. It didn't matter what anyone said, he wanted to get back at Shoto, to make him pay. For Jakku, for Chiyoda, for everything.

…..

"That can't be good," Todoroki glanced around the cavern. Checking for potential exits and entryways. There weren't many.

His gut tightened, adrenaline shot through his veins. We don't have much time to evacuate these people.

"We should move," Hawks shifted his tone and stance. His gaze was still fixed on the towering giant. The tubes and machines keeping it asleep were so small and feeble in comparison to the bulking figure they were attached to.

"Everyone get out of here!" Todoroki shouted. He didn't need to repeat himself. The various attendants, observers, and scientists scrambled away from their work. Rushing to the few exits in the cavern that would take them to the safety of the surface.

Anger swelled in within him. Todoroki gritted his teeth. There's too many people, we won't be able to get them all out in time. "Dammit."

The building shook, and rumbled. Dust descended around them in a large cloud kicked off of the ceiling. There was a thunderous sound from above, followed by a large cracking noise.

I can't see anything. Todoroki thought, trying to peer through the dust. "They must be breaking through the surface!"

He took a deep breath, and tried to stabilize the adrenaline coursing through his body. The right side of his body began to chill, and he shifted his stance. Ready to strike anything that dared to venture into the cavern that seemed ready to break away at any moment.

The building shook again. And this time it didn't hold. Light poured in through the violently expanding opening that emerged on the ceiling. Followed be even more dust, dirt, and confusion.

If I can't see them…"Heaven Piercing Ice Wall!" A massive barrier of hardened frost rose from the floor of the chamber. Striking forward with numerous far reaching stalactites that sealed the opening as one large glacier.

The dust cleared. There were several descending figures he could scarcely make out breaking through the ice. Todoroki could recognize a few of them. Members of the Villain organization responsible for the Tartarus breakout: Dabi, Compress, Muscular, Shigaraki…

Frustration swelled within him. Todoroki gritted his teeth. He understood the gravity of the situation. No other heroes in response range. Hundreds of bystanders. And Shigaraki is here in force. "We can't win here." He shot a glance at Hawks. "You're faster than I am, evacuate as many people as you can from here."

"You got it," Hawks nodded before taking off in an instant. A flurry of darting feathers marked his departure.

Todoroki knew he didn't stand a chance, it was four to one and to make matters worse all of his opponents were experienced. In better conditions he might've been able to press for an advantage, but all he could manage now…"I'm going to buy them time."

Shigaraki wasted no time, bolting straight for the pumps and machines keeping Gigantomachia asleep. Dozens of attendants and service personnel were still evacuating from the terminal.

I'll have to be careful, Todoroki took a deep breath. Minimize collateral damage. Concentrating on his target, he activated his quirk. Releasing a shearing wall of ice that cut off Shigaraki's advance just before the terminal.

The service workers were startled, but grateful for the sudden intrusion. Wasting no time to find their way to the nearest exit, out of the way of the clashing heroes and villains.

Shigaraki turned to face him. With an outstretched hand, there was a sudden vibration. Todoroki could feel it, the air pulled and pushed away from where he was standing. An attack?! Another ice wall emerged, this time between him and his opponent.

A rising torrent of air collided with the glacier at just the right moment to halt it in place. The ice shattered on contact, sending pieces of the broken formation all around him. At this rate keeping myself alive is going to be harder than keeping them away from Gigantomachia, he thought grimacing as the air blasts kept coming.

And then there were the others to worry about. Between the blows that Shigaraki was throwing from across the platform Todoroki could see the other villains closing distance with him. Taking advantage of the suppression Shigaraki's long range attacks provided.

Muscular was strong enough to force his way through the glacier of ice. While Dabi melted anything that got close to him. Compress being the escape artist he was had already exited the range of his quirk, descending on the fleeing technicians to turn them into marbles.

Todoroki found himself alone against three villains who could kill him at any moment.

Damn it! Here they come! Todoroki shifted his stance, sidestepping the rhythmic volleys of air blasts to launch his own. A plume of wide fire stretched outwards towards the oncoming villains, cutting their path mid air in a wild flash of heat. "Flashfire fist: Jet Ignition!"

The villains broke their formation with the emergence of a stone barrier, the crusty rock formation blocked the bulk of the flames as they broke off their descent. One of Shigaraki's other quirks? Todoroki thought, as he analyzed the distant figure. His arms were outstretched commanding the barrier before it vanished.

"Take care of him," Shigaraki said, his attention turning to the sleeping giant just beyond the observation deck.

"You got it!" Muscular cracked his knuckles in response. His bulky frame doubled in size with the sudden activation of his quirk. The exposed flesh was burned in some places, but where the flesh weakened new muscles formed and expanded to take their place.

"Step away," Dabi scoffed. "He's mine."

"Oh? You got a lot of nerve if that's how you want to roll," Muscular chuckled. "I'm sure there are plenty of other people I can kill upstairs." He stretched his back out in a wide motion. "But, Shigaraki would bitch to no end if I didn't do what he told me."

"You're better off covering Compress while he gathers bodies," Dabi responded, his eyes locked ahead on Todoroki. Unmoving, and uncaring for what was going on around him.

"Tell you what, I'll cut you a deal." Muscular winded his right arm up pointed forward at the hero ahead of him. "Whoever kills him first, gets to kill him."

"Wha—," before Dabi could even respond to his comment, Muscular lunged forward. His massive physique moved forward at tremendous speeds, surprising Todoroki.

Todoroki reacted instantly with a whiplash of fire.

Muscular's speed and endurance allowed him to close distance past the flames. While Dabi's fire met the opposing flames in a colorful display of blue and red. The cavern lit up again and again as the flames wisped each other away.

He's fast. Todoroki thought, barely dodging the blow in time with a quick burst of flames. The ground broke apart in a sizable crater at the impact where Muscular's fists had landed. Narrowly missing their target.

"Oh you're quick!" Muscular glanced up at him with a wicked smile etched onto his face. "This'll be good."

There was another quick blur of motion. Todoroki could feel something grab the lower half of his left leg. What?!

Muscular's hulking fist was wrapped firmly around his leg, and in a quick snap turn of his shoulder Todoroki was sent hurtling toward the nearest wall of the cavern.

Todoroki's vision faded. He felt an impact, a heavy thud. Then a flood of warmth over his forehead. He could feel the blood dripping off his brow. A sense of dizziness.

No! Not yet! Todoroki gritted his teeth. Those people are counting on me. He tried to stand, pushing past the pain gathering over his whole body. Activating his ice quirk to stop the bleeding, Todoroki resumed his stance, a series of small layers of frost gathered over his numerous cuts.

"He must've thrown me pretty far," Todoroki muttered. He couldn't recognize his surroundings. It was a mix of twisted metal and piping. The only doorway was the broken one, shattered on impact just moments before he was sent into this position. And beyond him was the main cavern. The Villains.

"Oh you're still alive?" Muscular's voice was distant but still very audible. Todoroki could see his silhouette past the fading dust.

There were eruptions in the background, and he could hear glass shatter. Shigaraki broke through…

"More! More!" Muscular's bulk increased tenfold. "Show me your blood!" He leaped forward, fists raised high above his head in a grotesque stride.

Todoroki raised his fist, and revved his flames. He'll break through my ice, so I'll just have to use this. "Flashfire Gorge: Hell's Labyrinth!"

A valley of roaring flames emerged on either side of Muscular, trapping him as the walls closed distance towards one another. Muscular pushed forward undeterred by the flames. For a moment, he glanced into them, and much to his horror on either side the flames had faces. Ghastly expressions of cinder and embers that writhed with shifting anatomy.

"What the?!" Muscular gasped.

And then the flames closed together. Crashing into each other. Their open maws engulfing Muscular in a plume of fire.

"Aaaaah!" Muscular shouted flailing about the corridor of twisted metal. "Not yet!" His muscles began to expand, unburnt flesh moving to replace that which was burned in mere moments. He continued his advance slowly, undeterred by the fireball raging around him.

"Alright that's enough," Dabi scoffed, walking onto the scene as he parted the entryway. He raised his hand up towards the network of pipes that sprawled across the ceiling. With a quick burst of his own blue fire the pipes melted open, collapsing onto Muscular with a loud crash. Their metal bulk snuffing out the flames, as well as burying him in an avalanche of steel.

"What are you—?" Todoroki asked, raising his guard.

"He'll live," Dabi kicked the pile of pipes as he walked by it. "Probably."

Without any warning a sheet of blue flame emerged again from Dabi's hands, this time aimed at Todoroki.

He could feel the heat long before the attack even materialized. Todoroki flinched. Activating his ice quirk to form a barrier between him and the approaching fire. I can handle this.

"Flashfire column!" Todoroki struck back, countering the parried attack with one of his own. A spiral of flames shot outwards shrouding the corridor in a wave of light and heat.

I need to get past him, before Shigaraki...no don't think about that. Todoroki thought. Just keep fighting.

The column of flames was parted by a swift wedge of deep blue fire. "I've been training for this, you won't beat me with weak blows like that." Dabi spoke, launching a few more fireballs of his own.

His earpiece buzzed. The fireballs whizzed past him as surged forward on a bed of ice. "Hey it's Hawks," Todoroki could barely hear him over all the chaos. "Most of the people have been evacuated, I did what I could."

"That's good," Todoroki replied, striking back at Dabi with an arc of wide sweeping fire. "Now we just have to contain Shigaraki."

"Oh? Planning something are we?" Dabi asked, ducking past the arc of fire. "I don't think you guys get it." There was a jet of blue flames rising underneath his feet.

"You're finished!" And in a flash Dabi soared towards him, tackling Todoroki into the cracked ground.

There was a surge of pain in his back. He could feel the fatigue starting to take hold. He tried to wrestle Dabi off, pushing back with the aid of his fire. A quick elbow jab bolstered by a jet of flame.

"I said you're finished!" Dabi slammed his fist into Todoroki's cheek. "So why don't you just give up already?" He placed his hands on his throat, moving to choke the life out of Todoroki.

"Because…" Todoroki grimaced, activating his right side. "We're heroes."

Suddenly a glacier formed around them, encasing them both in a shell of ice. They were both stuck in place, Dabi's mangled hands still wrapped around his neck.

The ice cooled his body. Suddenly the stinging pain of his burns didn't seem to bother him as much. Flash Freeze, followed by... Todoroki then activated his fire, slowly heating up a small cavity of ice around him that expanded rapidly, until...

"Flash Fire: Heat Wave!" the glacier vanished as the heat violently expanded outward. A blast of superheated steam, fire, and what was left of the ice shot out in all directions. Launching Dabi far down the corridor.

Todoroki winced. "Using that technique at that range," he placed his hand on his neck. It was badly burned. I'll use my ice to cool my body down for now, I can't afford to let up now.

Chuckling, Dabi smiled at Todoroki. "You've gotten better at using Endeavor's moves," an arch of bright fire echoed down the corridor. "So have I."

"Flash Fire Fist: Jetburn!" Dabi shouted, as a beam of concentrated fire raced down the corridor.

Todoroki could feel the heat rapidly approaching. He flinched It's moving too fast. Raising a wall of ice as quickly as he could to block the incoming attack.

"Is that it?" Dabi laughed as the fire shot through the ice. Melting through to strike his opponent just beyond its reach.

Yelling at the top of his lungs, Todoroki scalded his entire right arm to protect his face. He bit down on his lip as the pain shot through. He tried to ease it by cooling his body, but the heat was too intense. What particles of ice he could form quickly melted in wake of the pressure.

His flames are stronger than mine, Todoroki thought as he scrambled for cover. But he can't keep up with these attacks, his body will burn up.

"I'll just have to outlast him," Todoroki muttered, clutching his wound behind the safety of some rubble.

"Come on Shoto, your big brother just wants to show you a few things," Dabi surged forward blasting down the corridor in pursuit. Letting Todoroki escape with his life would be a failure for him. Whatever happened he would kill him.

"You're probably planning on waiting till I burn myself up. Thing is, I don't care if I do!" Dabi vaporized the column of rubble Todoroki was standing behind in another volley of flames. "Even if I die it doesn't matter, just as long as I take you with me."

Dabi relentlessly pushed on, showing no sign of rest. Blast after blast colliding with whatever stood between him and his brother.

What technicians were still in the building running vital systems keeping Gigantomachia asleep had long since ran from their posts. The intensity of the heat in the cramped corridors proved too much to bear.

It's only a matter of time before Gigantomachia wakes up, With the machinery destroyed around the facility there were no sedatives being supplied to the lumbering giant. Whatever was left in his bloodstream would eventually wear off. Todoroki evaluated his options as he struggled to avoid Dabi's attacks. Most of the people have already evacuated…

"I'm not holding back any longer!" Todoroki emerged from cover to meet his attacker. Even if this collapses the building, I'll take them with me!

"That's what I'm talking about! Turn up the heat!" Dabi raised his fists.

"Touya!" Todoroki shouted. "This fight is over!" His body ached from the burns, but he knew at the rate things were going the fight would be lost. He shifted his stance, and raised his arms outwards.

"That technique, you've learned it?" Dabi recognized the stance Todoroki was assuming. He moved to counter, launching a final assault against him. "You're still beneath me, I've mastered it."

Dabi grappled Todoroki in his stance, the rising heat grew more intense. "I'll show you mine first, Prominence Burn!" Dabi's blue flames spiralled around him, surrounding them both and the ruined chamber in a massive column of expanding flames.

He smiled as he saw his brother wince in pain, and yet. Todoroki was still standing before him, even as the flames grew. He's still alive?! Dabi grimaced, gritting his teeth as the heat began to eat away at him.

"No Touya, I've surpassed it." Todoroki's eyes were glowing brightly, his air was wild and so was his expression. "Prominence Burn: Cold Fusion!"

Not needing to aim his attacks, Todoroki began roasting his surroundings in a concentrated attack. His ultimate technique that combined his Father's greatest ability with his own. The heat rose and rose, vaporizing the corridor and the ground above it. And yet as hot at the chamber grew, Todoroki felt nothing. Every ounce of his own strength poured into his ice quirk as it cooled him down, shielding him from the rising flames.

Dabi screamed. The corridor erupted and withered away. And even the roof above them vaporized into nothing. The entire part of the cavern they were in was consumed all the way to the surface.

A sizable hole in the ground opening the scene to the world above.

Todoroki could feel the pain begin to return. He could see his vision start to fade and cloud. His legs gave out. No not yet, he raised his badly burned right arm into the air. And made a tight fist.

His breathing became rapid. It became difficult. He glanced above at the large open cavern. And he smiled as he heard the words, "I am here!" roaring from a distant familiar voice.

Todoroki collapsed. His consciousness fading on the distant image of a rising monster, and a swarm of heroes rushing to save the day.